23 February 2010 x Close
The decision to try out the body scanner at French airports for a trial period of three months was prompted after a man allegedly tried to ignite explosives hidden in his underwear on a Detroit bound flight on Christmas Day last year. France has started using a full-body security scanner for US-bound passengers at Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport. Reactions varied among passengers about the scanner, which helps detect forbidden objects hidden under clothes. Many were worried about what harmful effects it might have, while other found it fast and practical.
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Paris, France © Panoramas
Wherever you choose to begin or end a sojourn in Europe's
largest country, and however long you spend exploring you'll simply
be scratching the surface of this vast and varied land. France's
geography stretches from rugged coastline to seemingly infinite
beaches, from bustling cities to quaint countryside villages and
from a sun-drenched isle to luxury mountain ski resorts.
A civilisation dating back to 50,000 BC and a history spanning
Roman and Frankish invasion, wars of power and religion, a wealthy
and powerful monarchy ultimately crushed by revolution, the rise of
Napoleon and a new battle between monarchy and republic, and two
world wars, has left the country brimming with a rich heritage.
Cave paintings, castles, cathedrals and battle scars are scattered
across the land, yet much of the French countryside remains
untouched, and traditional rural life still flourishes.
This is a country that has inspired Monet's reinvention of
colour, Toulouse Lautrec's dark underbelly of Paris society, and
the haunting harmonies of Debussy. It has tantalised our taste buds
with foie gras and frogs' legs, and captured the imagination of the
world's jet-set with the resorts of St Tropez and Port Grimaud.
Discover France, and rediscover the meaning of joie de
vivre.